Reactor Leak at Kansas State U. Prompts Citation From Nuclear Commission

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has cited Kansas State University for one violation of safety procedures at its nuclear research reactor, stating that the facility lacked proper programs to prevent an incident of radiation exposure. An unnamed senior reactor operator was exposed to radiation in the September 22 incident, but the exposure did not result in injury or exceed federal limits, according to a university statement. Although the violation typically warrants a $3,500 fine, the statement said the commission had waived the fine because of the university’s “safe reactor operating record and proactive response addressing safety procedures.”